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Apr 26th, 2026 | | AD Chevy Trucks  Over 6,000 pictures Brad Allen has an awesome collection of Chevrolet factory pictures that he has set up from film strips. Check them out!
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| | | | Joined: Aug 2019 Posts: 80 Jim C. Blue | | Jim C. Blue Joined: Aug 2019 Posts: 80 | Why did they stop using these, let alone limit the use? It's a lot better than props and more reliable than struts. It is so nice that it just simply opens and stays there.  They don't seem to be large, complicated, and unreliable devices. Before my big bolt, the last vehicle I experienced with it was my mom's '87 Dodge Ram; another truck. Where they used on any small cars?
Alexander's Automotive Assortment- 1953 GMC 9700 3-ton**
- 1978 Plymouth Arrow
- 1980 Jeep J10 Cargo Truck
- 1985 Red Wagon Trailer (for cars)
- 1986 Toyota Tercel Wagon 4wd
**(9700 in Canada or 450 in USA.)
| | | | | Joined: Feb 2004 Posts: 29,760 Kettle Custodian (pot stirrer) | | Kettle Custodian (pot stirrer) Joined: Feb 2004 Posts: 29,760 | Blame it on the bean counters- - - - -the geometry of a properly-designed spring balanced hinge requires a lot of sophisticated engineering, and manufacturing the assembly costs a lot more than making a simple pivot and a prop rod or using a straight-push strut to keep the hood open, sort of!
As a quick aside- - - -in the event of an under-hood fire, that center pin of a support strut can become a deadly projectile. My nephew who is an EMT training instructor has some pretty grisly photos of wounds suffered by first responders when a hood or rear hatch strut gets hot and explodes, shooting the center pin out like a crossbow bolt!
Jerry
"It is better to be silent and be thought a fool than to speak and eliminate all doubt!" - Abraham Lincoln
Cringe and wail in fear, Eloi- - - - -we Morlocks are on the hunt!
There is nothing noble in being superior to your fellow man; true nobility is being superior to your former self. - Ernest Hemingway
Love your enemies and drive 'em nuts!
| | | | | Joined: Feb 2016 Posts: 1,982 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Feb 2016 Posts: 1,982 | Every GM truck I have owned from my '57 through my year 2000 has had hood springs. I lost track of the count but have had at least one truck from each decade.
1957 Chevrolet 5700 LCF 283 SM420 2 speed rear, 1955 IH 300U T/A, 1978 Corvette 350 auto, 1978 Yamaha DT175, 1999 Harley Davidson Softail Fat Boy
| | | | | Joined: May 2005 Posts: 8,983 Sir Searchalot | | Sir Searchalot Joined: May 2005 Posts: 8,983 | Many use gas springs now, so what's the beef? Don't let it get you down.
Right is right, even if everyone is against it, and wrong is wrong, even if everyone is for it. - William Penn
| | | | | Joined: Mar 2010 Posts: 10,272 Renaissance Man | | Renaissance Man Joined: Mar 2010 Posts: 10,272 | In my opinion, from '47.2 through '72, the hood hinge/spring designs have been a nightmare to adjust. Square bodies may fit that category, but I have never had to adjust any of those.
The newer, more light weight hoods don't require the strong springs and complicated designs. making adjustment easier to do. It sucks when the smoke gets let out of the gas struts, but they a easy to replace. I actually prefer a light weight hood with a well designed support rod.
Carl
1952 5-window - return to "as built" condition | 1950 3100 with a 235 and a T-5 transmission
| | | | | Joined: May 2005 Posts: 8,983 Sir Searchalot | | Sir Searchalot Joined: May 2005 Posts: 8,983 | Agreed 100%. Getting coil springs off of the hinges on some of those years 55.2-66 scares the hell out of me. Gotta build a shield to feel safe. It is not necessary if just taking hood off. But is necessary when rebuilding/restoring the hinges.
Right is right, even if everyone is against it, and wrong is wrong, even if everyone is for it. - William Penn
| | | | | Joined: Jun 2011 Posts: 5,096 Crusing in the Passing Lane | | Crusing in the Passing Lane Joined: Jun 2011 Posts: 5,096 | When hood hinges get tight from lack of lube, puts a lot of stress on hood itself, seen many hoods broken because of lack of lube of hinges.
Ed
'37 GMC T-18 w/ DD 4-53T, RTO-610, 6231 aux., '95 GMC running gear, full disc brakes, power steering, 22.5 wheels and tires.
'47 GMC 1 ton w/ 302, NP-540, 4wd, full width Blazer front axle.
'54 GMC 630 w/ 503 gasser, 5 speed, ex fire truck, shortened WB 4', install 8' bed.
'55 GMC 370 w/270, 420 4 speed, grain, dump bed truck from ND. Works OK.
| | | | | Joined: Aug 2019 Posts: 80 Jim C. Blue | | Jim C. Blue Joined: Aug 2019 Posts: 80 | Well, all that explains it.
Alexander's Automotive Assortment- 1953 GMC 9700 3-ton**
- 1978 Plymouth Arrow
- 1980 Jeep J10 Cargo Truck
- 1985 Red Wagon Trailer (for cars)
- 1986 Toyota Tercel Wagon 4wd
**(9700 in Canada or 450 in USA.)
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